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New Directions...
Aug. 9th, 2011 05:53 pmSo, I've been a little angsty lately, especially as regards the children.
And, at least today, I got some positive feedback that has encouraged me to go onward. There is a studio (in upstate NY, I think) run by a woman who is also a therapist for ASD kids. So I wrote her and asked her opinion. She gave me an excellent reply, and I'll excerpt one of the things I sort of needed to hear:
One more little piece for YOU... dance teachers get paid a very hefty sum of money for your business. Do NOT feel that just because your girls are not listening to each and every direction and participating seamlessly that "it isn't working." It breaks my heart when parents pull students from my dance classes because they feel their little one is distracting to the others or "too much work" for me to handle. I love, and I know other teachers love the more "challenging students." They better us as teachers and as long as they are having FUN in the studio, that is what matters most.
Now, I'm not such a fool as to think she speaks for all dance teachers. But just knowing that there are some out there that DO think that way gives me the impetus to keep asking.
For starters, John is going to call the gentleman who is the owner/director of the Irish Dance school Anneliese has been attending and get his feedback. What are they willing to do? What do they feel would work best? Would one of the Senior Dancers possibly be interested in doing some "private lesson" with her? That sort of thing. They've been open and supportive in the past, so hopefully now that we all know each other a little better, we can re-evaluate and improve things.
I'm also trying to figure out why Anneliese had gotten so resistant. I suspect it was a combination of factors - new teacher (who is a bit more hard line than the first), louder music, and renovations being done at the studio that also created a lot of noise. Add in the fact that the student aide we hired let Anneliese run rough-shod over the top of her....
I also suspect that Anneliese would prefer to be on her own program, sitting on her butt in front of either the TV or computer. I'm disinclined to allow this. I may even push some - because sometimes she needs pushing. I think that if we can get her engaged, many things will improve - her gross motor skills, her ability to follow directions. And it might even satisfy her need to stim in a more acceptable way than rocking or spinning.
Possibly we should try calling to talk to her teacher and occupational therapist, as well.....
And, at least today, I got some positive feedback that has encouraged me to go onward. There is a studio (in upstate NY, I think) run by a woman who is also a therapist for ASD kids. So I wrote her and asked her opinion. She gave me an excellent reply, and I'll excerpt one of the things I sort of needed to hear:
One more little piece for YOU... dance teachers get paid a very hefty sum of money for your business. Do NOT feel that just because your girls are not listening to each and every direction and participating seamlessly that "it isn't working." It breaks my heart when parents pull students from my dance classes because they feel their little one is distracting to the others or "too much work" for me to handle. I love, and I know other teachers love the more "challenging students." They better us as teachers and as long as they are having FUN in the studio, that is what matters most.
Now, I'm not such a fool as to think she speaks for all dance teachers. But just knowing that there are some out there that DO think that way gives me the impetus to keep asking.
For starters, John is going to call the gentleman who is the owner/director of the Irish Dance school Anneliese has been attending and get his feedback. What are they willing to do? What do they feel would work best? Would one of the Senior Dancers possibly be interested in doing some "private lesson" with her? That sort of thing. They've been open and supportive in the past, so hopefully now that we all know each other a little better, we can re-evaluate and improve things.
I'm also trying to figure out why Anneliese had gotten so resistant. I suspect it was a combination of factors - new teacher (who is a bit more hard line than the first), louder music, and renovations being done at the studio that also created a lot of noise. Add in the fact that the student aide we hired let Anneliese run rough-shod over the top of her....
I also suspect that Anneliese would prefer to be on her own program, sitting on her butt in front of either the TV or computer. I'm disinclined to allow this. I may even push some - because sometimes she needs pushing. I think that if we can get her engaged, many things will improve - her gross motor skills, her ability to follow directions. And it might even satisfy her need to stim in a more acceptable way than rocking or spinning.
Possibly we should try calling to talk to her teacher and occupational therapist, as well.....
